Past records suggest that the odds are stacked against the Warriors to proceed to their second National Rugby League Grand Final, when they meet the Melbourne Storm on Saturday night.
The numbers suggest the NRL Grand Final teams have already been decided - with Melbourne and Manly possessing long, unblemished records in Grand Final qualifiers.
Since their 28-13 loss to the Sydney Roosters in 1975 the Sea Eagles have won all seven of their Grand Final qualifying matches, while Melbourne have won all five since entering the competition in 1998.
But the Warriors will be buoyed by the fact that they've been something of a bogey team for the Storm, the most memorable loss coming in the 2008 qualifying final when the eighth-ranked New Zealander's upset the minor premiers.
